Having the skills that lead to a good job can change a person's life. St. Francis Medical Center's Career Development Program assists women and men who have been dependent on public assistance to develop work and life skills they need to successfully find a career in healthcare. The program provides classroom instruction, on-the-job training, comprehensive support services and placement assistance. Each student in the program is treated with dignity and respect in a challenging and supportive environment. Once given the opportunity, these students excel ― growing as individuals and achieving self-sufficiency.

Each year 50 students are enrolled in the program. The program provides three months of classroom instruction and nine months of on-the-job training, followed by placement assistance and on-going mentoring. During the three months of classroom instruction, students receive interpersonal skills, CPR certification, training in medical terminology, medical and surgical inpatient tasks, and administrative duties.

During the nine months of on-the-job rotations, students develop hands-on experience in various departments, including nursing units, the Emergency Department, and outpatient clinics. Students who have not graduated from high school are encouraged to work toward their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma.

Most students participating in the program have not been able to independently support themselves and their families. Additionally, although many students have only achieved a ninth-grade academic proficiency, most are bilingual in Spanish/English, and all have a strong personal commitment to become economically self-sufficient.